A Long Way from Home
By: Emma Stone

From cornfields to skyscrapers, I moved from middle America right to the Big Apple. Growing up in Des Moines, IA, I was mesmerized as I watched my father’s German Shepherd Dogs at shows. As the powerful shepherd proved to be too much for my ten-year-old frame, my family purchased a Shetland Sheepdog for me to compete with in Junior Showmanship, Obedience, and the breed ring. With “Elvis” my love for the fancy evolved and has brought me where I am today, interning for the American Kennel Club in the New York office.

Selecting the Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) position under Ron Rella, I only knew that I would be working as an assistant in the ACE program, but it was more than just that. During my summer I learned about numerous other departments within the AKC, such as the Canine Health Foundation and the Internal Consulting Group.

Starting the summer, I began the seemingly never-ending task of answering the 250+ nominations with letters and certificates. Once the letters were completed, I was given a chance to investigate and review the nominations. Only then, I was able to see just how significantly these canines had impacted individuals or even whole communities.

This position with Mr. Rella, not only allowed me to utilize my journalistic and writing skills, but I was able to become a part of the AKC. My opinions on nominees were frequently requested and considered seriously. I was entrusted to creatively write, design, and produce an ACE album that is a permanent piece in the AKC library. Lastly, I was able to collaborate with other departments in the revision of the ACE Web page. Through my involvement with ACE, I was able to meet and learn from inspiring people in the fancy as well as people who just love their dogs.

Returning to the University of Kansas in the fall to complete my last year as Journalism major, I will remember my experiences at the AKC and in New York City. This summer gave me a change to connect my previous knowledge of the fancy with my education in journalism. At school, I will utilize my enhanced skills in writing and researching, and use the pieces of information I have gathered about the fancy. Most importantly, I will take with me the empowerment that I found in moving half way across the country to join a company that shares in my passion for dogs.